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Where are Kevin and Ruth right now? Calderitas (Chetumal), Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Where are they going next? Xpujl, Campeche, Mexico. Arriving February 20th.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

I must be a pretty good mechanic!

Woke up to a bit of a misty morning yesterday, but by the time we finished our power walk and exercises the sun had burned through and it became a nice day.

As you all know, it was Ruth's birthday yesterday, but she didn't spend all day lazing around in a hammock with me feeding her margaritas to her hearts content! Birthday or not, things still need to get done!

Ruth, Bella, and Niko.

We took the dogs with us for the first couple of laps around the park. Bella is still young and she doesn't listen really well so we've taken to putting her on the leash. She's learned how to jump the rock fence that is about four feet high, and then she can get out to the road from the lot next door. Niko is really good though, she doesn't go anywhere.

Saw this little guy float by and he stopped to have his picture taken.

Then while Ruth was cleaning the bathrooms and watering some of the flowers, I tackled the front brakes on Sherman. From what I had read, they wouldn't be any problem to take apart, but some people have had problems putting them back together! Anyhow, I got the driver's side apart and had a good look at things. The pads are getting low, but they're still fine. Sometime over the next year I'll get the pads changed and also the flexible brake hose. Probably never been done, and there is a common problem on this chassis that the brake hose can eventually collapse with age. So I got the calipers cleaned and greased where they're supposed to be and then put back together. There's a key and spring that needs to be sort of hammered into place and that's the part that some people have described as being difficult. But I had no problem at all so I must be a pretty good mechanic! I'll get to the passenger side today.

I don't mind doing this stuff when I have the right tools (thanks Sal!) and I have lots of time. I would never do it for a living though. I like being able to take my time and do it at my own pace.

That sure is a big tree!

We sat out for happy hour with the other campers, and then Ruth and I went into Mazamitla for her birthday dinner. We had been to one particular restaurant last year with Barb and Sal that does fajitas and you only need to order one plate between the two of you. It's a bit of a more expensive restaurant for the area but when you only need one plate of food it becomes pretty reasonable.

Ruth and Kevin at Troje restaurant.

It was delicious and we were stuffed! And that was ordering only one plate of fajitas! I had a beer and Ruth had a soft drink. Total including tip was 200 pesos ($16.00).

I wanted to introduce you to Teresa, Derek, and Cassia who are traveling Mexico for the very first time in their older class B camper van.

Teresa is about a week behind on her blog posts, but the most recent entry is telling about the day before they enter Mexico. I remember the first time we entered Mexico, and first timers are usually a lit bit nervous, as were we. So I'm looking forward to reading about their experiences and hopefully we'll get to meet up with them as their adventure unfolds!

Happy Birthday a day late. Seems like that's how I'm running lately. Jim can do a whole lot of things on the rig but he wasn't ever thrilled about working on the brakes. Hope the second one goes as well as the first.

I have been following Teresa, Derek and Cassia for quite a while and enjoy their youthful energy and ambitions. I am sure you will meet them on their way thru. Ruth's birthday dinner looks wonderful too!

Everybody was ready to go right on time again. We pulled out just before 9:00am onto the busy pot-holed road towards Veracruz. It's amaz...

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